Clerkenwell Design Week - what worked for me

The highlight of last week was the 'Clenkerwell Design Week' lasting for three days only but definitely giving the feeling of a week at least. There was so much to see, so many new people to meet, so much to experience and draw inspiration from.

Spread in four rather quirky locations and opening doors to many more local art, craft and design shops and showrooms around Clenkerwell, there was a lot to indulge one's taste buds in.

The map above shows the covered area in bright pink, that would correspond with the signage flags on locations, so that it was virtually impossible to miss anything.

The locations included House of Detention or Order of St. John Priory church and Crypt, both places revealing atmospheric experience of hidden rooms and corners.




Ochre is a design company focusing on lighting, furniture and accessories. I came across their design in the Crypt of Order of St. John.

Descending down the stairs, suddenly I just had to stop and gasp in amazement. Such pure beauty in a chandelier is something I had not seen for a while. 'Round 112 buds' consists of glass drops attached to bronze fittings with LED lights hidden inside.

As you might imagine this chandelier is quite heavy given by the materials: glass and bronze. The effect it provides though is definitely worth the weight.

TDO Architecture teamed up with a jeweller Hannah Martin to come up with modern, sleek and stylish display stands that would correspond with the boldness, brightness and uniqueness of Hannah's jewellery.

The supporting images on the wall revealed the work process going into the design; these are layers of Corian, a material that can be thermoformed in 150ºC, then joined and finished to a required design. In this case, layers stacked producing corrugated effect.

I was so pleased to see these display stands with my own eyes. I had previously seen images only (stands were first produced for Hannah for the London Fashion Week) and was wondering about their height. Indeed, one does not have to bend down to view a piece locked up under a glass inside a table. These stands show the products in a comfortable height with triangular viewpoints. I can imagine myself as a customer floating among such display stands within a clean and clear environment. These stands are opening the space in a modern, sleek and stylish manner.

An elegant Victorian Farmiloe Building, former glassworks, was without a doubt the largest space of them all hosting variety of disciplines ranging from furniture, ceramics, basketry or graphics...

Visitors were welcomed by an artistic depiction of Ewan Gallimore and Claire Miller, two Royal College of Arts students who produced this stylish Jaguar depicting its unmistakable features giving it their future vision for Jaguar. Real Jaguar F-TYPE was parked nearby. What a juxtaposition of vision an reality.

After spending time admiring this installation, I raised my eyes and was left puzzled by two colourful diagonal lines of phone receivers hanging in a window.

When I finally reached this stand, I realised that this was a stand for ICON magazine offering a year subscription with a Pop Phone (by Native Union) as a gift. I must say, I could not resist, subscribed and received my orange Pop Phone (my choice of colour).

This just shows the importance of presentation. Seeing the display from the inner yard downstairs, my curiosity got slightly tackled only to grab me further by the knowledge of receiving a good deal and a gift upon subscription.

Yes, they got me but this time I actually do not mind. I wanted to subscribe to ICON for some time now and the orange receiver brightens up my day. This is something I want for everyone. Just find enjoyment in even the smallest object close to you. K-)